10/28/2018 How to delete GRUB files from a Boot EFI partition in Windows 10 | LinuxBSDos.

com

Home Advertise Here Sponsored Content Contact Subscribe

LINUXBSDOS.COM Operating systems, software & hardware

DEBIAN FEDORA KALI LINUX MINT UBUNTU REVIEWS 

NEWS TUTORIALS/TIPS DOCKER

TUTORIALS/TIPS

How to delete GRUB les from a Boot

EFI partition in Windows 10
September 5, 2015 7:18 am

After several failed attempts to dual-boot Ubuntu 15.04 and Windows 10 on a single hard drive and on a computer
with UEFI rmware, and not knowing what caused the rst failed attempt, I gured that subsequent failed attempts
must have been due to an existing Ubuntu GRUB folder in the Boot EFI folder.

Especially since the machine always froze when the installer is attempting to install GRUB

So I thought that If I could just delete the ubuntu folder from the Boot EFI folder, that the installation would
complete – successfully. Ultimately, it didn’t, but I gured out how to delete GRUB les from inside Windows 10,
from the command line.

This post documents how it was done. It involved, from the command line, listing and selecting the detected hard
drives, listing the partitions on the hard drive, then, nally, listing and deleting the target folder. Another reason you
might want to do this, is if you deleted the Linux partitions, which would not automatically delete the GRUB les
from the Boot EFI folder.

To start, log into Windows 10, click on the menu and type cmd. Then right-click on the terminal application’s icon
and select run as administrator. Figure 1 show the commands (underlined) used to accomplish the rst step – listing
and selecting the hard drive. To make it possible to copy-and-paste, for those who might need to, I’ve provided the
commands in the code block after the last image.

Related Post:  How to build a private corporate blockchain using Hyperledger Fabric

In this gure, the target disk is shown as a 465 GB hard drive, with GPT partition.

http://linuxbsdos.com/2015/09/05/how-to-delete-grub-files-from-a-boot-efi-partition-in-windows-10/ 1/12
10/28/2018 How to delete GRUB files from a Boot EFI partition in Windows 10 | LinuxBSDos.com

Figure 1: Using diskpart to list hard drives detected on Windows 10

After the target disk has been selected, its partitions are listed, so that the partition (volume) that corresponds to the
Boot EFI folder can be identi ed. In Figure 2, that partition is Volume 2. It’s usually the only volume with FAT32 in
the Fs ( le system) column, and System in the Info column. After it has been identi ed and selected, you assign it a
drive letter to make it easier to work with. In this example, I assigned it a drive letter D. After that, exit diskpart.

Figure 2: Listing disk partitions on Windows 10

The nal task involves changing into the Boot EFI folder, listing its contents to identify what subfolder the GRUB les
would be. It will be in the EFI folder. The GRUB les for the distribution that was installed will be under a folder of the
same name as the distribution. For example, if Ubuntu was installed, as in this example, the name of the folder will be
ubuntu. Delete the folder using the rmdir /s command. That’s the Windows 10 equivalent of the Unix/Linux rm -r
command.

http://linuxbsdos.com/2015/09/05/how-to-delete-grub-files-from-a-boot-efi-partition-in-windows-10/ 2/12
10/28/2018 How to delete GRUB files from a Boot EFI partition in Windows 10 | LinuxBSDos.com

Figure 3: Deleting non-empty Ubuntu GRUB directory in Windows 10

All the commands used are given in this code block. Note that this procedure is not necessarily the best or only way to
go about do this, so if you know of a better method, post a comment.

Related Post:  How to backup your Linux les to a Minio storage server using CloudBerry Backup

Windows 10 command line Shell

1 ## These commands are used to identify and select the hard drive
2  
3 diskpart
4  
5 list disk
6  
7 sel disk
8  
9 ## These commands are used to list the partitions, select the Boot EFI partition,
10 ## then assign it a drive letter
11  
12 list vol
13  
14 sel vol 2
15  
16 assign letter=D:
17  
18 exit
19  
20 ## These commands are used to change into the Boot EFI folder and delete the GRUB folder
21  
22 cd /d D:
23  
24 ls
25  
26 ls EFI
27  
28 cd EFI
29  
30 ls
31  
rmdir /s ubuntu

Subscribe to LinuxBSDos.com
Subscribe to receive the latest articles in your Inbox

http://linuxbsdos.com/2015/09/05/how-to-delete-grub-files-from-a-boot-efi-partition-in-windows-10/ 3/12
10/28/2018 How to delete GRUB files from a Boot EFI partition in Windows 10 | LinuxBSDos.com

Enter Your Name Enter Your Email Address SIGN UP

I agree to have my personal information transfered to MailChimp ( more information )

Trust me, you'll not be spammed...

Related Posts:

Triple-boot Linux
How to keep your Boot Dual-boot Ubuntu Mint 17.3, Ubuntu Dual-boot Ubuntu
EFI partition clean of 16.04 and Windows 10 16.04, Windows 10 on 16.10, Windows 10 on
old Linux… on a PC with UEFI… a… a PC with UEFI…

How does your

Make GRUB the Dual-boot elementary How to dual-boot encrypted Linux
default Boot Manager OS 0.4, Windows 10 on Deepin 15, Windows 10 system respond to
on an HP 250 G5 a computer with… on a PC with UEFI… the…

Please share:

We Recommend These Blockchain Conferences and Servicess

Register now for Blockchain & Decentralized Tech SuperSummit, international conference on blockchain technology
in Dallas, TX (USA), April 1 - 4, 2019

Reasons to use control panel for your server

Today's valid web hosting discount codes

Learn how to trade cryptocurrencies using technical and fundamental analyses at BDT SuperSummit

Best binary auto trading software reviews by 7binaryoptions.com

Launch an SSD VPS in Europe, USA, Asia & Australia on Vultr's KVM-based Cloud platform starting at $5:00/month
(15 GB SSD, 768 MB of RAM).

161 Comments

http://linuxbsdos.com/2015/09/05/how-to-delete-grub-files-from-a-boot-efi-partition-in-windows-10/ 4/12
10/28/2018 How to delete GRUB files from a Boot EFI partition in Windows 10 | LinuxBSDos.com

Hamed
October 19, 2018 at 10:21 am  ·  Reply

It works:) Thanks

greta
October 16, 2018 at 11:24 am  ·  Reply

I get a ” positional parameter cannot be found that accepts argument ‘ubuntu’.

when I typed rmdir /s ubuntu . I had removed the ubuntu partition from disk management and all the commands
shown in this article worked until the last one. Is there a suggestion ?

Soumya
October 11, 2018 at 2:16 am  ·  Reply

Thanks it Works.

Mohan
September 25, 2018 at 12:08 am  ·  Reply

but i followed those three images, when i came the third image second command, which is ‘ls’ my command prompt
showing ‘ls’ is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch le. please help me

nid
September 25, 2018 at 5:05 am  ·  Reply

Use the dir command instead.

Zahran
September 22, 2018 at 12:08 pm  ·  Reply

Its working dude thx a lot. Have some sosial medias?

http://linuxbsdos.com/2015/09/05/how-to-delete-grub-files-from-a-boot-efi-partition-in-windows-10/ 5/12
10/28/2018 How to delete GRUB files from a Boot EFI partition in Windows 10 | LinuxBSDos.com

sarib
September 13, 2018 at 1:40 am  ·  Reply

Hi, I was deleted the linux partition and rebooted my system now my PC always goes to (error: unknown le system
entering rescue mod) any solution? Please help I’m waiting for your reply…

nid
September 13, 2018 at 1:08 pm  ·  Reply

Perhaps you deleted the wrong partition. What is the default boot manager in the BIOS/UEFI utility? It’s likely
GRUB, so try changing it to Windows Boot Manager and reboot.

Xaaf
September 17, 2018 at 10:38 am  ·  Reply

Hey,
Whenever I boot I’m getting an error that ashes away immediately. I have deleted the “Ubuntu”
folder from that drive, and after a reboot, I got that error. I can’t do anything now. I need this working
ASAP, so any help would be appreciated!

I seem unable to enter the BIOS. as well…

Xaaf
September 17, 2018 at 10:32 am  ·  Reply

Hi,

Getting the same problem here. I literally can’t use my laptop now, and I need it a LOT.
Please respond ASAP, as I need it working ASAP.

Thanks

Arunalu Kariyawasam
August 30, 2018 at 10:02 pm  ·  Reply

Minor detail, but: in the image where you show the commands to delete EFI, you put ‘ls’ as the command instead of
‘dir’.

http://linuxbsdos.com/2015/09/05/how-to-delete-grub-files-from-a-boot-efi-partition-in-windows-10/ 6/12
10/28/2018 How to delete GRUB files from a Boot EFI partition in Windows 10 | LinuxBSDos.com

nid
August 30, 2018 at 10:26 pm  ·  Reply

ls actually worked when I wrote the article. Note that the images where taken from Windows, so they show the
commands I typed on Windows.

ankit kumar
August 29, 2018 at 5:16 pm  ·  Reply

Thanku my pc is not booting in kali ao i delete it and reinstall .now it’s working.

← Older Comments 1 … 5 6 7

Leave a reply
WordPress Comments (161) Facebook Comments G+ Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required elds are marked *

Message

Name

Email Address

Website

Receive Email Noti cations?

yes, replies to my comment instantly
Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

http://linuxbsdos.com/2015/09/05/how-to-delete-grub-files-from-a-boot-efi-partition-in-windows-10/ 7/12
10/28/2018 How to delete GRUB files from a Boot EFI partition in Windows 10 | LinuxBSDos.com

Post Comment

Subscribe to RSS by Email

Enter your email

Subscribe

Also From LinuxBSDos.com

Dual-boot elementary OS 0.4, Windows 10

on a computer with…

How to dual-boot Deepin 15, Windows 10

on a PC with UEFI…

How does your encrypted Linux system

respond to the…

http://linuxbsdos.com/2015/09/05/how-to-delete-grub-files-from-a-boot-efi-partition-in-windows-10/ 8/12
10/28/2018 How to delete GRUB files from a Boot EFI partition in Windows 10 | LinuxBSDos.com

Dual-boot Fedora 25, Windows 10 on a

computer with UEFI…

Dual-boot Kali Linux Rolling 2016.2,

Windows 10 on a PC with

RECENT POSTS MOST VIEWED

How to build a private corporate

blockchain using Hyperledger Fabric

Blockchain conference in Dallas:

Blockchain & Decentralized Tech
SuperSummit

Searching for a software development

company? Here’s what you need to know

How to choose an appropriate VPN service

How Blockchain technology will change

online and o ine gambling

Linux Distributions for Hacking

http://linuxbsdos.com/2015/09/05/how-to-delete-grub-files-from-a-boot-efi-partition-in-windows-10/ 9/12
10/28/2018 How to delete GRUB files from a Boot EFI partition in Windows 10 | LinuxBSDos.com

Experts use these Linux distributions for

hacking, digital forensics, and pentesting

Friends & Supporters

Reasons to use control panel for your

server

Today's valid web hosting discount codes

Best binary auto trading software reviews

by 7binaryoptions.com

Mi Funding - Get your money, now!

Make your college homework problems

fade away with http://123Homework.com
service

Looking for the best dissertation service?

Check Dissertation Team for help

DHgate Computers Electronics, Cell

Phones & more

Container Operating Systems

http://linuxbsdos.com/2015/09/05/how-to-delete-grub-files-from-a-boot-efi-partition-in-windows-10/ 10/12
10/28/2018 How to delete GRUB files from a Boot EFI partition in Windows 10 | LinuxBSDos.com

6 operating systems designed for running

Docker and other container runtimes

Linux/BSD NAS distributions

Build a network-attached storage (NAS)

unit with these Linux/BSD distributions

http://linuxbsdos.com/2015/09/05/how-to-delete-grub-files-from-a-boot-efi-partition-in-windows-10/ 11/12
10/28/2018 How to delete GRUB files from a Boot EFI partition in Windows 10 | LinuxBSDos.com

Search Most Viewed Recent Posts Follow & Socialize

Enter your keywords...

1. How to delete GRUB How to build a private  Friend me on
les from a Boot EFI corporate blockchain
Facebook
Search using Hyperledger Fabric
partition in Windows
10  Follow Me

185817 views Blockchain conference in

 Subscribe via RSS
Dallas: Blockchain &
Categories
2. A beginner’s guide to Decentralized Tech
 Follow on Google+
disks and disk SuperSummit

Select Category partitions in Linux

148587 views Searching for a software
development company? Subscribe to RSS
3. How to install Here’s what you need to
Archives Feed by Email
Software on Kali know
Linux
Select Month 133314 views How to choose an
Enter your emai
appropriate VPN service
4. How to install Docker
Subscribe
and run Docker
How Blockchain
containers on Linux
technology will change
Mint 18/18.1 online and o ine
106779 views gambling

LINUXBSDOS.COM
Home About Contact Advertise Here Sponsored Content

Copyright © 2018 LinuxBSDos.com. Designed by WPZOOM

http://linuxbsdos.com/2015/09/05/how-to-delete-grub-files-from-a-boot-efi-partition-in-windows-10/ 12/12